Knockdown case for eggs



(No Model.)

W. M. BAKER. KNOGKDOWN CASE FOR EGGS, 6:0.

No. 401,873. ,v Patented Apr. 23, 1889.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILSON M. BAKER, OF URBANA, OHIO.

KNOCKDOWN CASE FOR EGGS, 8.1.0.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 401,873, dated April23, 1889.

Application filed February 14, 1889. Serial No. 299,892 (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILsoN M. BAKER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Urbana, in the county of Ohampaign and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and use ful Improvements in Knockdown Cases forEggs and Similar Purposes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in cases particularly designed forcontaining and shipping eggs, some of the features of the inventionbeing also applicable to cases adapted for other purposes.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a casespeciallyadapted for shipping eggs, which shall be capableof being reduced insize for return shipment, the further object of my invention being tosimplify the construction of cases of this character, and provide a casewhich shall be substantial when in use and adapted to be readily cleanedwhen not in use.

My invention consists in the various constructions and combinations ofparts, hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a deviceembodying my invention, shown closed or knocked down ready for shipment,a portion being broken away, showing the manner of arranging the looseportions of the case. Fig. 2 is a perspective View showing the case puttogether ready to receive the filler or other material with which it isto filled, a portion of the cover being in this case also broken away toshow the manner of attaching the parts together. Figs. 3 and 4B aredetailed views of the parts of the same, which will be referred tohereinafter. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view showing a preferableform of ap plying the cover. Fig. 6 is apartial sectional elevation viewof the same with the cover removed.

Like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference throughout theseveral views.

In the said drawings, A represents the lower portion or base of thecase, which consists, preferably, of a rectangular-shaped box having theend pieces, a, provided on the inside at the bottom with grooves orslots a. The bottom of the base A is preferably formed of slats '1), asshown in Figs. 2 and 5, said slats I) extending longitudinallythroughout the length of the case and secured at either end to the endpieces, (I. These slats b are beveled on either side and adapted to formV- shaped openings 1) between the same.

hen assembled for shipment the case consists of the end. pieces, B, theside pieces, B, and the cover 0. The end pieces, B, are each provided atthe lower end with a crosspiecc, 0, preferably extending entirely acrossthe same and projecting past the sides of the end piece, B, as shown inFig. 5. The said end pieces, B, are made considerably nar-,

rower than the width of the box or cover,

The end a cleat, 0, having projecting ends which extend beyond the sidesof the said end pieces,

B. of a single board extending longitudinally the length of the case,having attached thereto at either end upright pieces d at right anglesthereto adapted to join the end pieces, B, at either side thereof. Theupright pieces d are made of sufficient width to fill out the spacebetween the sides of the end pieces, B, and the sides of the baseportion A.

In assembling the box for use the end pieces are inserted in the endportion with the cross-piece c resting in the slots a in the end pieces,a, after which the side pieces are placed in position, the upright pieced thereon being inserted in the base portion. A in the same plane withthe end boards, B,thus holding the said end boards in place by reason ofthe projecting ends of the cross-piece c and the upper cleat, 0.

I11 order to hold the parts more firmly together, I preferably provideat the top of the end piece, B, fastening devices 0, consisting,preferably, of loops of wire or other suitable material pivoted to theend piece, B, and adapted to turn and rest on notches e in the end ofthe upright d, the said loops being adapted, when not in use, to turn toa position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and rest in notches e inthe top of the end board, B.

It will be seen that by this construction a case of substantialconstruction is formed,

The side pieces, B, consist, preferably,

which may be handled as desired and be lifted from any portion thereofwithout disarranging the parts.

The cover C, I preferably form with longitudinal strips 12 on theinside, (similar to those, I), which form the bottom,) adapted to formV-shaped grooves 11 between the same. These strips at the sides of thecover I extend the entire length thereof, so that when placed upon thecase said strips rest in notches b in the top of the upright pieces d,as shown in Fig. 6. The cover C is also provided at the endwith a smallend piece, 11 adapted to project over the top of the end board, B, asshown in Fig. 4. By this construction the cover is held against alateral or longitudinal movement when placed on the top of the case andat the same time holds the sides and ends more firmly together. Thecover 0 is preferably held in position by a loop, f, adapted to hookover an eccentric-shaped button, f, so that when in position the partswill be held firmly together. By having the cover constructed asdescribed the fastening-loops may be dispensed with, if desired.

The strips 1), which form the bottom, and those, 19 of the cover aremade to correspond with the divisions between the filler-spaces in whichthe eggs are to be placed. These fillers, as is well known, are made ofpasteboard. A bottom of the same material is placed between therespective parts, which are placed one upon the other. By having thebottom of the case constructed with the strips, as described, and theV-shaped grooves between the same, a space is formed under the bottom ofthe filler, so that the said bottom is adapted to cushion the eggs inthe top and bottom rows, and thus prevent the same from becoming brokenin packing.

It is obvious that the strips and grooves d e scribed may be extendedlaterally across the ends instead of longitudinally, if desired. Thestrips which form the grooves in the cover are preferably made separateand secured to the cover at its base, or the grooves ma y be formedtherein by planing or otherwise. The bottom I preferably leave open, asshown in Fig. 5, though it is obvious that. it may be closed the same asshown for the cover in said figure.

\Vhen it is desired. to close the case together for shipping, thefastening device is unfastened from the upright d, and the side boardsremoved, after which the end pieces and end boards can readily beseparated from the bottom portion. The side boards and end boards arethen laid over in the bottom or base portion, A, and the cover 0 placedthereon and secured thereto by the loop f, as shown in Fig. 1, a button,f being provided on the base portion A, as shown in Fig. 2, for thispurpose.

Having thus claim-- 1. The combination, with the base portion providedwith end pieces having grooves or slots therein, of the end boardshaving crosspieces adapted to fit in said slots, and an upper cleat atthe upper end, side boards having upright pieces secured thereto adaptedto join to said end boards, and means for connecting said upright stripsto said end boards, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with the base portion consisting of a rectangularbox having end boards connected thereto, of the side boards providedwith upright strips secured at right angles thereto and adapted to joinsaid end pieces, and a cover to [it over said end pieces and uprightstrips, substantially as specified.

3. The combination, with the base portion consisting of a rectangularbox and end pieces connected to the inside of said box, of side hoardsadapted to be inserted in said base portion and join the said endpieces, and a fastening-loop/on said end boards to engage in the notchesin said end pieces, substantially as specified.

4:. The combination, in an egg-case having end pieces notched on eitherside at the top, of a cover provided with longitudinal strips arrangedto come opposite the partitions in the egg-case filler, the saidlongitudinal strips being extended at each side of said cover andadapted to rest in the notches in the end boards, substantially asspecified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day ofFebruary, A. D. 1889.

\VILSON M. BAKER.

Witnesses:

PAUL A. STALEY, CHAS. I. WELoH.

described my invention, I

